brockerman etal



March 24, 1964 BROCKERMAN ETAL 3,126,308

RADIO FREQUENCY LUMBER END-GLUE CURING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 29, 1960 Lawrence Bracket-man Russell G.Brani- IN VEN TORS HH S.

March 1964 L. BROCKERMAN ETAL 3,126,303

RADIO FREQUENCY LUMBER END-GLUE CURING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 29, 1960 T s m mm 1 a r m @i m f M i? I EFT 08 m w f r 1 wmv II M Q3 j m w h n wh mm N8 3 w Y .W W Nw W m B F L. l 5:. 2:

5 Sheets-Sheet 3 L. BROCKERMAN ETAL RADIO FREQUENCY LUMBER END-GLUE CURING MACHINE March 24, 1964 Filed Aug. 29, 1960 Lawrence Brocker'rpa 11 Russell 6. Bran i' INVENTORS United States Patent 3,126,308 RADIO FREQUENCY LUMBER END-GLUE CURHNG MACHINE Lawrence Brockermau and Russell'G. Brant, Portland,

Greg, assignors to E. V. Prentice Co., Portland, 0reg.,

a partnership Filed Aug. 29, 196i Ser. No. 52,520 '15 Claims. (Cl. 156-380) This invention relates to mechanism for manufacturing relatively long composite boards from a series of shorter pieces, and more particularly to mechanism for making relatively long boards from a series of shorter boards butted end to end and with a deposit of glue between their ends. The invention features a radio frequency dryer for drying the glue deposit, and a novel construction for the dryer which makes possible continuous operation with the production of good joints between the shorter boards.

With quality timber in shorter and shorter supply, the lumber industry'has found it expedient to put to practical use materials that in the past would have been discarded as waste, and to upgrade the quality of low grade materials. Using the apparatus of this invention, trimmings and short pieces may be made into a longer board useful for many building purposes. To illustrate, short boards may be passed through a finger-jointer and end-matching machine, where the board ends are provided with altermating fingers and grooves extending between opposite edges and paralleling the sides or faces of theboalrds. Glue or adhesive may then be applied to the thus prepared ends, and the boards then aligned. and fitted together at their ends. After the glue between the ends is dried, the resulting composite board may be cut into pieces of regular length. Features and objects of this invention include:

(1) The provision of a novel apparatus including a dryer section which comprises power-driven advancing mechanism for pushing interfitted boards forwardly through the dryer section, and novel electrode structure within the dryer section operable to inhibit forward movement of the boards whereby the ends that are being joined are crowded snugly together, the same electrode structure being operable to direct a radio frequency current through the glue lines totcause drying ofthe same.

(2) The provision of novel radio frequency dryer structure wherein the end butted boards are treated with the boards on one set of edges and with their sides upright, such dryer structure including a novel construction for an electrode which makes possible substantially continuous contact with edges'of the boards as they travel through the dryer.

(3) A novel construction for an electrode in a radio frequency dryer which comprises plural electrode components that are conductive, flexible and resilient, and that in operation are deformed by being pressed down against a set of edges of boards, and when deformed have contacting surface portions that occupy a substantially aligned position and that function to define a substantially continuous contacting surface.

(4) A novel mounting for a shiftable elongated electrode in a radio frequency dryer wherein both ends of the electrode may be moved conjointly up and down, and positioned accurately with respect to another electrode spaced therefrom.

As another object of the invention, this invention contemplates a novel construction for means for guiding boards through a radio frequency dryer, whereby the same are maintained properly positioned between a pair of opposed electrodes.

A further object is to provide a dryer wherein suitable 3,126,308 Patented -Mar. 24, 1964 t 2 adjustments can readily be made to take care of boards of dilferent widths.

Still another object of the invention is to'provide an improved radio frequency dryer wherein good contact with opposite sets of edges of boards is produced by a pair of spaced electrodes, irrespective of minor differences in the widths of boards.

Other features and objects of the invention will become more fully apparent as the following description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view, somewhat simplified, of portions of apparatus constructed according to this invention, showing the infeed end of the apparatus-and the mechanism employed for putting boards end to end and then thrusting them forward;

FIG. 2 is a simplified view of the outfeed end of the apparatus of FIG. 1, the portions shown in FIG. 2 being an extension of the portions shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view, slightly enlarged, illustrating a pair of finger-jointed and end-matched boards interfitted as contemplated by this invention;

FIG. 4 is a plan view, in more detail, of the dryer section illustrated schematically in FIGS. 1 andZ;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the dryer section illustnated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a section view, somewhat enlarged and taken along the line 6-6 in FIG. 5, illustrating in elevation details of the interior of the dryer section;

FIG. 7 is taken along the line 77 in FIG. 6, showing the construction. of one of a pair of electrodes in the dryer section; and

FIG. 8 is a view of aligning mechanism in the apparatus showing how .it operates.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly FIG. 1, 10 indicates generally the outfeed end of a fingerjointer and end matching machine. This includesa conveyer. 12, which is operable to transport relatively short boards sidewise, or transversely of their length, in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1. The boards drop from conveyer 12 to an on-edge position on a chain conveyer, indicated at 14. On dropping onto the chain conveyer, their bottom set of edges align themselves at the level of the chain conveyer. The bottom edges stay aligned throughout movement of the boards through the apparatus.

Finger-jointer and end-matching machine 10 includes mechanism for routing out both ends of boards, so that alternate grooves and fingers are formed in opposite ends, such as grooves 18 and fingers 16 of the boards shown in FIG. 3. The grooves and fingers extend normally outward of the board ends and parallel the sides of the boards. Such mechanism is not shown, as it is conventional, and specific details of its construction are not necessary to the understanding of the invention. The machine, as is conventional, includes mechanism for applyingglue along one or both sets of ends of the boards, so that the boards fall from conveyer 12 onto conveyer chain 14 with one or more sets of ends covered with a deposit of glue.

From the outfeed end of conveyer 12, chain conveyer 14 carries boards on edge and between a pair of side supports 20, 22 to an aligning mechanism for aligning the boards lengthwise, indicated generally at 26. Supports 2t), 22 are spaced apart a distance sulficient to enable boards easily to fall therebetween, but not so great as to enable boards to topple from their edges. Chain conveyer 14 is moved by a motor 28 connected to the chain conveyer by drive chain 30 and sprocket 32, so that its upper run (the visible run in FIG. 1) moves from left to right in the figure. Aligning mechanism 26 comprises a pair of spaced guides 36, 38 that are spaced apart a disabout pulleys 66, 68.

tance substantially equal to but a little greater than the thickness of the boards processed. Toward the feed end of guides 36, 38 are a pair of pivoted plates 40, 42. These pivot on pivot connections indicated at 44, 46. The plates have their nonpivoted ends urged together by a bias means 36, 38. If, however, the pair of successive boards move on the chain conveyer into an end-abutted position not in longitudinal alignment, the sides of the two boards will not lie flush. Then the operation illustrated in FIG. 8 occurs. The lead board on passing through the plates 40. 42 is advanced between guides 36, 38 as before. When the trailing board comes between the plates 40, 42, the guide plate adjacent the protruding side of the trailing board gives to enable further forward travel of the boards (plate 42 in FIG. 8). The boards continue to advance,

and when the protruding side of the trailing board strikes the end of a guide (guide 38 in FIG. 8) the trailing board is momentarily halted. If the lead board continues forward movement, separation of the boards then occurs, at which time the bias of spring 48 operates to pull the plates 42, 40 together, with the now separated trailing board shifting into a correctly aligned position between the guides 36, 38.

In front of aligning mechanism 26 is a power-driven advancing mechanism, shown generally at 56. This includes a pair of belts 58, 60 with opposed inner runs. One of the belts (belt 58) has an inner run that moves substantially in a fixed path, and is trained at its ends about pulleys 62, 64. The other of the belts (belt 60) is trained These pulleys, however, are mounted on a shiftable frame 70 movable in a direction extending transversely of the belt runs. Air bag 72 is provided for urging frame 70 and belt 60 toward belt 58, such air bag bearing on a portion of frame 70 and on expansion urging it upwardly in FIG. 1. In operation, air bag 72 is used to keep the inner runs of'the belts tightly against opposite sides or faces of boards disposed therebetween, whereby the belts may frictionally grab the 7 board sides.

motor 74, drivingly connected to pulley 64.

The advancing mechanism is driven by a Advancing mechanism 56 performs both the function of pulling boards out of the aligning mechanism, so as to produce separation of ends as just described, and also of V pushing boards forwardly into a radio frequency dryer section, indicated at 80, disposed in front of the advancing mechanism. Boards as they are advanced through the dryer section are subjected to a force inhibiting or restraining forward travel, as will be explained, and because of this, and the forward thrust on the boards produced by advancing mechanism 56, tight end to end crowding of the boards results. Dryer section 80 is discussed more in detail later. For the present it is sufficient to say that the feed end of the dryer section is indicated at 82 in FIG. 1, and the discharge end is indicated at 84 in FIG. 2. It should be understood that the feed and disto and fro in a path which also parallels the travel of such material.

Supported on mounting 92 toward the left end of the mechanism in FIG. 2 is an adjustable clamp means 98, comprising a fixed clamp member 100 and a shiftable clamp member 102. Shiftable clamp member 102 is actuated by a fluid motor 104 connected to the member. When the motor is extended, member 102 is shifted toward the fixed clamp member, to produce clamping engagement on opposite faces of any board disposed therebetween.

To the right of clamp means 98 is a saw 106 mounted on a saw arbor driven by a motor 108. The motor and saw are shiftable transversely of the travel of a board through the cutoff saw mechanism, on ways 110. Toggle link mechanism 112 is employed to shift the motor and saw to and fro. This toggle link mechanism is actuated by a fluid motor 114. Thus extension of the motor moves the link mechanism past and over-center position to the position indicated in dashed outline, with the saw moving out and then back to complete a cutting stroke. The next cutting stroke of the saw is produced by contraction of the motor.

Explaining the operation of the cutoff saw mechanism, and assuming a board passing through the mechanism, when it is desired to make a cut motor 104 is actuated to produce clamping pressure in clamping means 98. When such is produced, carriage 92 moves with the board as it travels under the urging of advancing mechanism 56. Movement is to the right in FIG. 2. After the board is clamped, motor 114 is actuated to move the saw in a cutting stroke. The saw during the cutting stroke moves 7 with the board at the same speed as the board. After the saw has completed its cutting stroke, clamp means 98 is released, and a spring 116 returns the shiftable mounting 92 to its original position, against a stop 118.

Considering now the dryer section, and now referring to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, this comprises a frame 120 including legs 122 Which support the main portion of the frame above the ground. Extending along the length of the frame and through its interior, and supporting the bottom set of edges of boards moved therethrough with these edges aligned and with the sides of the boards upright, is a transfer means, indicated at 124 (see FIG. 6). This comprises an elongated, smooth-surfaced transfer plate 126 of conductive material (such as copper or brass) secured on the frame through a horizontal supporting plate 128, longitudinals 130, and transverse braces 132. The

frame, including the longitudinals, transverse braces, and supporting plate 128 are metallic, and the frame is grounded. Plate 126 constitutes one of the electrodes in the radio frequency dryer (the ground electrode). At the same time it defines an elongated course for end-butted boards passed through the dryer, such boards having their bottom set of edges flush and resting on the plate.

The other of the pair of electrodes in the dryer section is indicated generally at 140. This is disposed above plate 126 and substantially parallels the plate. Specifically, and describng this other electrode (referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7), 146 indicates an elongated, relatively narrow,

mounting or plate of conductive material (such as copper or brass). Secured to the underside of mounting 146 are a plurality of electrode components or elements, indicated at 143. These take the form of elongated, flexible and resilient feelers of conductive material (copper or brass) aligned over transfer plate 126 and following one another along mounting 146. The ends of the feelersare overlapped, and one set of ends are secured to mounting 146 by screws 150. The feelers from their connection with mounting 146 bend downwardly toward transfer plate 126, have a step 148b, and terminate at their unattached ends in approximately flattened, contacting surface portions, shown at 148a. In the absence of any board material beneath the feelers, the unattached ends slope slightly toward transfer plate 126, as shown by the feelers to the left in FIG. 7. A board, such as board 152 in FIG. 7, on passing beneath the feelers, flexes them upwardly against their natural resiliency, causing the feelers to press downwardly on the top edge of the board, with the ends of the feelers nesting in'the step 14812, and producing firm contact of the transfer plate with the bottom edge of the board. In their upwardly flexed position, the contacting surface portions of the feelers'define a substantially continuous, elongated contacting surface for the upper electrode.

Along one side of the feelers, and secured to mounting 146, is an elongated guide also of conductive material, indicated at 156. This is also part of the upper electrode. During operation of the dryer, this guides upper side portions of the boards. As just discussed, the feelers, by reason of their nonintegral and independently flexible construction, have the ability to give, and this enables them to adjust themselves for boards of slightly unequal widths. The feelers are not entirely continuous, and guide 156 is important in providing for electrical contact with the boards near their upper edges at substantially all times.

Supporting the sides of boards traveling through the dryer section are elongated upper and lower supports 160, 162, respectively. These are made of insulating material, such as wood, and are mounted on plate 128 by means of spacer boards 164, 166 and nut and bolt assem blies 168. Lower support 168 parallels and is vertically directly below guide 156, and guide 156 and support 162 define a vertical support plane for one set of the faces of boards being processed. Upper support 160 is below and on the other side of the feelers and transfer plate 126 from support 168. This support 160 engages the other set of faces of those boards being processed, and functions to kept the boards riding snugly against guide 156 and support 162. An additional elongated guide 170 (also preferably of conductive material) joined to and extending along one side of plate 126 is included for guiding the boards near their bottom set of edges.

The upper electrode 140 is supported in the apparatus on a shiftable frame or carriage structure 180. Structure 180 is adjustable in position to enable mounting 146 and the feelers secured thereto to be brought down toward or moved away from the level of transfer plate 126, when initially setting up the apparatus to handle a given width of board. The carriage structure is properly positioned when good contact exists along the top and bottom edges of the boards being processed. As will become apparent, adjustment is by means which shifts both ends of the carriage conjointly.

Specifically, and now referring again to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, 186 indicates an elongated, substantially horizontal beam or frame member extending longitudinally above mounting 146. Near each end of beam 186 but set in some distance from the ends are a pair of parallel, substantially vertical and spaced'brackets 188. These have their bottom ends secured in a suitable manner to .the beam. Extending through each pair of brackets adjacent their upper set of ends is a support rod 190. Carried on these rods 190 with their ends fixed to the beam are elongated tension members 192. These function to support the extreme ends of the beam, and portions ofthe beam intermediate the spaced pairs of brackets 188, as can be seen in FIG. 5.

Each of the pair of brackets 188 is guided for vertical movement in a pair of channel shaped ways 196. These are suitably supported on frame 120, as by securing them to the inner ends of horizontally extending stub beams 198. Mounting 146 of the upper electrode, which is electrically isolated from the frame, is mounted'on the underside of beam 186 through insulators 202. The latter are secured to the beam by screws 204.

The beam, brackets, and tension members are raised and lowered, as a unit, by adjusting mechanism 210 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). This comprises a pair of cables 212, 214 trained over a winch drum 216, which may be turned by a handle 218 (see FIG. 4). Suitable ratchet mechanism (not shown) is provided to lock the drum from unwinding. Cables 212, 214 are trained adjacent their outer ends over pulleys 220, and have their extreme ends fixed to the beam through anchor brackets 222.

Explaining the operation of the whole apparatus, boards traveling down conveyor 12 are on their sides and have been finger jointed and have glue along one set of ends. They thence fall on their bottom set of edges onto the chain conveyor. The chain conveyor moves them into aligning mechanism 26, and from thence they travel into advancing mechanism 56. The advancing mechanism ordinarily is driven at a somewhat slower speed than chain conveyer 14, enabling a backlog of boards to build up on the chain conveyer, such backlog of boards sliding on the chain conveyer when necessary.

From the advancing mechanism, end-butted boards are forced forwardly through the dryer section. The shiftable carriage structure is first adjusted vertically so that for a given width of boards, bottom aligned edges of which are aligned or indexed on plate 126, the top edges of the boards will be firmly engaged by flexible feelers 148, with these deforming to define a substantially continuous contacting means. The pressure exerted downwardly on the top edges of the boards by the feelers produces friction which inhibits forward progress of the boards, resulting in end crowding of the boards.

The boards travel through the dryer section with a radio frequency current passing from one set of edges to the other, and generally following the glue lines at the board ends. The flexible nature of the top electrode results in good contact with the top edges regardless of minor irregularities in width. The radio frequency current dries the glue lines to produce an elongated composite board. As the composite board leaves the dryer, the cutoff saw mechanism is actuated at intervals to produce severed lengths of boards of regular length. Thence the finished boards may be stacked or otherwise disposed of.

While there has been described an embodiment of the invention, it is appreciated that variations can be made Without departing from the invention. It is intended to cover all modifications and variations that would be apparent to one skilled in the art and that come within the scope of the appended claims.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a radio frequency dryer for manufacturing composite relatively long boards from shorter pieces set end to end, said dryer having transfer means forming an electrode in the dryer with said transfer means defining an elongated course for such pieces which accommodates the passage of the pieces through the dryer with the pieces set end to end and traveling along said course in the direction of their length, shiftable carriage structure spaced from and extending along the length of said transfer 'means, and means forming a second electrode in said dryer comprising plural electrode components aligned With each other in a row that substantially parallel said course, said electrode components being mounted at one set of ends on said carriage, said electrode components having contacting surface portions for engaging said pieces spaced along said row from said one set of ends and that are displaceable independently of each other in a direction extending normal to said transfer means, said contacting surface portions being relatively close together and providing a substantially continuous surface for contacting said pieces.

2. A radio frequency dryer for manufacturing composite relatively long boards from shorter pieces set end to end comprising, transfer means forming an electrode in the dryer with said transfer means defining an elongated substantially horizontal course for such pieces which accommodates the passage of pieces through the dryer with the pieces set end to end and traveling lengthwise along said course, vertically shiftable carriage structure disposed above and extending along said transfer means and adjacent pieces traveling on the transfer means,

and another electrode in the dryer comprising a plurality of elongated metallic flexible and resilient feelers secured at one set of ends to said carriage structure, said feelers extending one after another along said course over said transfer means, said feelers having a set of ends spaced row one after another along said mounting, each of said feelers having one end attached to said mounting, each of said feelers having an end opposite its said one end that is unattached and spaced from said mounting, each of said unattached ends of the feelers being deformable under pressure toward an adjacent feeler and when deformed being shaped so that the unattached ends collectively define a substantially continuous contacting means.

4. A radio frequency dryer comprising, transfer means defining an elongate course for end-butted boards with the boards traveling lengthwise thereover and resting on one set of their edges, a mounting spaced from said transfer means and substantially paralleling the same and adjacent the other set of edges of such boards, paired electrode means for passing a radio frequency current between said one set of edges and said other set of edges of such boards, one of said electrode means comprising plural electrode components following one another along said mounting and mounted thereon, said electrode components having contacting surface portions for engaging said other set of edges of such boards displaceable independently of each other in a direction away from said other set of edges and that press against said other set of edges said surface portions thus to define a substantially continuously contacting means, said transfer means engaging said one set of edges and constituting the other of the pair of electrode means, and means for adjusting the relative spacing of said transfer means and mounting.

5. Apparatus for manufacturing composite relatively long boards from a series of shorter boards having glue applied along at least one set of ends, said apparatus comprising mechanism having an outfeed end constructed to align the shorter boards lengthwise with the sides of the boards upright and with their bottom set of edges also aligned, power-driven advancing mechanism in front of said outfeed end for receiving such boards and engageable with opposite sides of the boards and constructed to urge such boards forwardly while maintaining the boards in their aligned position, and radio frequency operated dryer structure in front of said advancing mechanism fed by the advancing mechanism for drying glue along the ends of the boards, said dryer structure having a relatively smooth elongated and conductive transfer surface defining a course for boards and slidably supporting their bottom set of aligned edges, said transfer surface constituting one of a pair of electrodes in the dryer structure, said dryer structure also having carriage structure disposed over and extending along the length of said transfer surface, and plural electrode components mounted on said carriage structure extending in a line spaced above and paralleling said transfer surface, each of said components having a contacting surface portion for engaging the other set of edges of boards and constructed yieldably and resiliently to press against said other set of edges, said contacting surface portions being yieldable independently of each other, said surface portions together inhibiting free movement of boards I through the dryer structure under the urging of said advancing mechanism whereby the boards tend to be crowded end to end in the dryer structure, said electrode components constituting the other of the pair of electrodes in the dryer structure.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the carriage structure may be adjusted in position toward and away from said transfer surface, thus to vary the contacting pressure of the electrode components and the degree of free movement of the boards is inhibited.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each electrode component comprises a conductive finger element mounted on the carriage structure with an unattached end for contacting boards, and which further comprises a conductive bar disposed along side the line of electrode components also for contacting boards traveling through the dryer structure.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said other of the pair of electrodes comprises a plurality of elongated metallic flexible and resilient feelers disposed in a line and with overlapped ends, one set of ends of the feelers being mounted on a common mounting bar, said feelers have ends opposite said one set of ends that are unattached and disposed below said one set of ends in position to contact boards, said ends opposite said one set of ends being displaceable independently of each other under pressure toward said mounting bar.

9. In a radio frequency dryer for drying glue between the ends of end-butted boards, transfer means defining an elongated course for one set of edges of such boards with the boards aligned along said one set of edges and with the sides of the boards upright, said transfer means being of conductive material and constituting one of a pair of electrode means in the dryer, contacting means disposed above and paralleling and extending substantially the length of said transfer means constructed to engage the set of edges of the boards opposite said one v set of edges and constituting the other of the pair of electrode means, elongated guide means positioned along one side and below and extending substantially the length of said contacting means, first elongated support means substantially vertically below and extending substantially the length of said guide means, and second elongated support means substantially paralleling said first support means but disposed above it and located on the opposite side of said contacting means from said first support means.

10. The dryer of claim 9 wherein said contacting means comprises plural electrode elements each yieldable and resilient and operable to press down firmly on said set of edges opposite said one set of edges, said electrode elements being closely spaced and having contacting portions defining in unison a substantially continuous contacting surface.

11. The dryer of claim 10 wherein said guide means is of conductive material and electrically connected to said contacting means.

12. In a radio frequency dryer, a first electrode com prising an elongated and conductive transfer means defining a course for articles to be treated and having feed and discharge ends, powered means adjacent the feed end of said transfer means for urging articles forwardly over said transfer means and along the course defined thereby, and a second electrode spaced from said first electrode and comprising plural flexible and resilient feelers disposed in a row that is spaced from and substantially parallel to the course defined by said transfer means, said feelers having one set of ends mounted in fixedposition and portions spaced along said course from said one set of ends and closer to said transfer means than said one set of ends and adapted resiliently to press down on articles as the same travel over said course and thus offer resistance to their forward motion.

13. In a radio frequency dryer, a frame, a first electrode comprising an elongated smooth surfaced and substantially horizontal transfer means mounted on said frame and defining a course for the passage of end-butted boards through the dryer with the boards resting on one set of edges and aligned along these edges on said transfer means, a second electrode disposed above and substantially paralleling said transfer means for engaging the set of edges of said boards opposite said one set of edges, said second electrode comprising plural electrode elements each yieldable in a direction normal to said transfer means and resilient and adapted to press down firmly on said set of edges opposite said one set of edges, said electrode elements being closely spaced and having contacting portions adapted to engage said one set of edges, and mechanism mounting said electrode elements, said mechanism comprising an elongated carriage extending substantially the length of said transfer means, and means supporting opposite end portions of said carriage on said frame, the latter means including mechanism accommodating fixed adjustments of the carriage up and down With respect to said transfer means.

14. In a radio frequency dryer, means defining an elongated course for Work to travel along, and an electrode substantially parallel to said course for work, said electrode comprising a mounting, plural flexible and resilient feelers disposed in a row paralleling said course, and means securing said feelers to said mounting, each of said feelers having a Work-contacting portion, said Work-contacting portions of said feelers being resiliently yieldable in a direction extending normal to the roW whereby they may resiliently press against work traveling along said course.

15. Apparatus for manufacturing long boards from a series of shorter boards having glue applied along at least one set of ends; said apparatus comprising aligning mecha nism having an outfeed end constructed to align the shorter boards lengthwise, with the sides of the boards upright, and with their bottom set of edges also aligned; powerdriven advancing mechanism receiving boards from said outfeed end of said aligning mechanism; said advancing mechanism being engageable with opposite sides of the boards and constructed to urge the boards forwardly while maintaining the boards in their aligned position; and radio frequency operated dryer structure receiving boards from said advancing mechanism and operable to dry glue deposited on the ends of the boards; said dryer structure including transfer means defining an elongated course for boards through the dryer operable to engage one set of edges of the boards, and elongated pressureapplying means spaced vertically from the course defined by said transfer means and substantially paralleling the course defined by said transfer means operable to engage the set of edges of the boards opposite said one set of edges; said transfer means constituting one of a pair of electrodes in the dryer and said pressure-applying means constituting the other of a pair of electrodes in the dryer.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,300,728 Goss Nov. 3, 1942 2,544,133 Carlson Mar. 6, 1951 2,599,930 Mann June 10, 1952 2,631,642 Richardson et al Mar. 17, 1953 2,640,141 Vore et al May 26, 1953 2,705,993 Mann et al Apr. 12, 1955 2,708,649 Cunningham May 17, 1955 2,908,600 Nicholson Oct. 13, 1959 

5. APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING COMPOSITE RELATIVELY LONG BOARDS FROM A SERIES OF SHORTER BOARDS HAVING GLUE APPLIED ALONG AT LEAST ONE SET OF ENDS, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING MECHANISM HAVING AN OUTFEED END CONSTRUCTED TO ALIGN THE SHORTER BOARDS LENGTHWISE WITH THE SIDES OF THE BOARDS UPRIGHT AND WITH THEIR BOTTOM SET OF EDGES ALSO ALIGNED, POWER-DRIVEN ADVANCING MECANISM IN FRONT OF SAID OUTFEED END FOR RECEIVING SUCH BOARDS AND ENGAGEABLE WITH OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE BOARDS AND CONSTRUCTED TO URGE SUCH BOARDS FORWARDLY WHILE MAINTAINING THE BOARDS IN THEIR ALIGNED POSITION, AND RADIO FREQUENCY OPERATED DRYER STRUCTURE IN FRONT OF SAID ADVANCING MECHANISM FED BY THE ADVANCING MECHANISM FOR DRYING GLUE ALONG THE ENDS OF THE BOARDS, SAID DRYER STRUCTURE HAVING A RELATIVELY SMOOTH ELONGATED AND CONDUCTIVE TRANSFER SURFACE DEFINING A COURSE FOR BOARDS AND SLIDABLY SUPPORTING THEIR BOTTOM SET OF ALIGNED EDGES, SAID TRANSFER SURFACE CONSTITUTING ONE OF A PAIR OF ELECTRODES IN THE DRYER STRUCTURE, SAID DRYER STRUCTRURE ALSO HAVING CARRIAGE STRUCTURE DISPOSED OVER AND EXTENDING ALONG THE LENGTH OF SAID TRANSFER SURFACE, AND PLURAL ELECTRODE COMPONENTS MOUNTED ON SAID CARRIAGE STRUCTURE EXTENDING IN A LINE SPACED ABOVE AND PARALLELING SAID TRANSFER SURFACE, EACH OF SAID COMPONENTS HAVING A CONTACTING SURFACE PORTION FOR ENGAGING THE OTHER SET OF EDGES OF BOARDS AND CONSTRUCTED YIELDABLY AND RESILIENTLY TO PRESS AGAINST SAID OTHER SET OF EDGES, SAID CONTACTING SURFACE PORTIONS BEING YIELDABLE ENDEPENDENTLY OF EACH OTHER, SAID SURFACE PORTIONS TOGETHER INHIBITING FREE MOVEMENT OF BOARDS THROUGH THE DRYER STRUCTURE UNDER THE URGING OF SAID ADVANCING MECHANISM WHEREBY THE BOARDS TEND TO BE CROWDED END TO END IN THE DRYER STRUCTURE, SAID ELECTRODE COMPONENTS CONSTITUTING THE OTHER OF THE PAIR OF ELECTRODES IN THE DRYER STRUCTURE. 